Rumours have been doing the rounds that the world’s biggest boyband will call it a day in the next year or so and apparently even their big boss and former X Factor mentor agrees.

Claiming the group will soon be going in five directions rather than one, King Cowell told me: “Bands don’t stay together forever. I think they will make at least two more albums together and they are in the middle of one right now.”

“Bands don’t stay together forever”

Simon Cowell

So according to Cowell that’s an album out this year and one out next (possibly a greatest hits collection) before Directioners the world over will be calling the Samaritans.

Asked if Harry would leave to go solo this year Simon added: “No, I don’t think that is going to happen for a while. Eventually I am sure they all will.”

Plenty of time to fit in another two movies, stadium tour, two new perfumes, make-up range, calendars, dolls and a host of other money making schemes before the fateful day!